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[POLITICS] · Cyprus · 5 sources

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Cyprus Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas Orders Probe After Ammunition Detonation Sparks Brush Fire

On Monday, Cyprus Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas ordered a probe into the illegal detonation of discarded ammunition by National Guard engineers at the Kalo Chorio firing range, which ignited a fast‑moving brush fire during a 40 °C heat wave.

The fire burned about 120 ha (300 ac) of vegetation, prompting the evacuation of two small communities. Around 100 firefighters and eight aircraft were deployed, and no homes or other property were damaged.

Palmas said protocols forbid explosions of heavy weapons in summer and the investigation will determine why the engineers proceeded without clearance; a report is expected within a few weeks. Cyprus has also recently established a regional fire‑fighting hub to assist neighboring Middle‑East countries.

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Cyprus · Cyprus National Guard · Cyprus regional fire fighting hub · Kalo Chorio firing range · Vassilis Palmas

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